Drawer interlock for a furniture element

ABSTRACT

A furniture element includes a housing, a drawer carried by the housing and movable between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing, and a drawer interlock structured to slidably couple the drawer to the housing. The drawer interlock includes an elongated first interlocking structure mounted to the housing and an elongated second interlocking structure mounted to the drawer. One of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail recesses. The first and second dovetail projections slidably interlock with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to furniture elements having a housing and one or more drawers carried by the housing. More specifically, the present invention relates to drawer guides for guiding furniture drawers between extended and retracted positions with respect to a furniture housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drawer guides for guiding furniture drawers are known in the art. The present invention provides improvements over known drawer guides to facilitate the mounting of the furniture drawers to the furniture housing, and to improve the sliding movement of the furniture drawers between extended and retracted positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a furniture element including a housing, a drawer carried by the housing and movable between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing, and a drawer interlock structured to slidably couple the drawer to the housing. The drawer interlock includes an elongated first interlocking structure mounted to the housing and an elongated second interlocking structure mounted to the drawer. One of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail recesses. The first and second dovetail projections slidably interlock with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a drawer interlock for use with a furniture element including a housing and a drawer carried by the housing and movable between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing. The drawer interlock includes an elongated first interlocking structure adapted to be mounted to the housing, and an elongated second interlocking structure adapted to be mounted to the drawer. One of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures includes first and second dovetail recesses. The first and second dovetail projections slidably interlock with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a furniture element including a housing and a drawer carried by the housing. The method includes: providing a drawer interlock including an elongated first interlocking structure and an elongated second interlocking structure, one of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail recesses; mounting the first interlocking structure to the housing; mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer; and slidably interlocking the first and second dovetail projections with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing for movement between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments of this invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a furniture element having a housing and a plurality of drawers carried by the housing;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the furniture element shown in FIG. 1 with one of the drawers in an extended position extending outwardly from the housing;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the furniture element shown in FIG. 1 with one of the drawers removed from the housing to illustrate a drawer interlock constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first interlocking structure of the drawer interlock mounted to the housing of the furniture element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second interlocking structure of the drawer interlock mounted to a drawer of the furniture element shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the second interlocking structure shown in FIG. 5 protruding beyond a rear wall of the drawer;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the first and second interlocking structures of the drawer interlock slidably interlocked with one another;

FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating the first and second interlocking structures of the drawer interlock slidably interlocked with one another;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the second interlocking structure mounted to the drawer;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the first and second interlocking structures of the drawer interlock slidably interlocked with one another;

FIG. 11 is an isolated perspective view of the first and second interlocking structures of the drawer interlock slidably interlocked with one another;

FIG. 12 is an isolated perspective view of the first interlocking structure of the drawer interlock;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the first interlocking structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the first interlocking structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the first interlocking structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the first interlocking structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view through line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an isolated perspective view of the second interlocking structure of the drawer interlock;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the second interlocking structure shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the second interlocking structure shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the second interlocking structure shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first interlocking structure of the drawer interlock; and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first interlocking structure of the drawer interlock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a furniture element 10 including a housing 12 and a plurality of drawers 14 carried by the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 is structured to carry four drawers 14. However, the housing 12 may be structured to carry any suitable number of drawers 14, e.g., less than or more than four drawers 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the furniture element 10 is in the form of a cabinet. However, it should be understood that the furniture element 10 may be any suitable element structured to carry drawers, e.g., desk, shelf system, etc.

Each drawer 14 is slidably movable with respect to the housing 12 between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing 12 and a retracted position disposed within the housing 12. FIG. 1 illustrates all of the drawers 14 in the retracted position, and FIG. 2 illustrates an upper one of the drawers 14 in an extended position. As will be further discussed in detail below, each drawer 14 is slidably coupled to the housing 12 by drawer interlocks 16(a), 16(b) (see FIG. 3). The drawer interlocks 16(a), 16(b) are structured to facilitate the mounting of each drawer 14 to the housing 12 and to improve the sliding movement of each drawer 14 between its extended and retracted positions.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 12 includes a base 18 having feet 20 that support the housing 12 on the ground, a pair of generally vertically extending side wall members 22, 24 extending upwardly from the base 18, a generally horizontally extending upper wall member 26 interconnecting the side wall members 22, 24, and a plurality of generally horizontally extending drawer support members 28 (also referred to as parting rails) between the base 18 and upper wall member 26 (one drawer support member 28 being shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Also, a back panel (not shown) is supported by the members 22, 24, 26, 28. The members 22, 24, 26, 28 cooperate to define a plurality of forwardly facing openings 30, e.g., four openings, structured to receive a respective drawer 14 therein. Moreover, each drawer support member 28 has an generally upwardly facing support surface 32.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, each drawer 14 includes generally parallel spaced apart front and rear walls 34, 36, and generally parallel spaced apart side walls 38, 40 that interconnect the front and rear walls 34, 36. A drawer bottom 42 is supported between the walls 34, 36, 38, 40, e.g., with a plurality of support members 44. Each drawer 14 is received within a respective opening 30 provided in the housing 12. As shown in FIG. 1, when the drawers 14 are in their retracted position, the front wall 34 of each drawer 14 covers the respective forwardly facing opening 30 of the housing 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 and drawers 14 are constructed of wood. Also, the upper wall member 26 of the housing 12 and the front wall 34 of each drawer 14 includes an ornamental design. However, the housing 12 and drawers 14 may be made from any suitable material, and may include any suitable ornamental design.

As shown in FIG. 3, drawer interlocks 16(a), 16(b) slidably couple each drawer 14 to the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a first drawer interlock 16(a) and a second drawer interlock 16(b) spaced apart from the first drawer interlock 16(a) slidably couple each drawer 14 to the housing 12. However, each drawer 14 may be slidably coupled to the housing 12 by any suitable number of drawer interlocks, e.g., one drawer interlock or more than two drawer interlocks.

Each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) includes an elongated first interlocking structure 46 mounted to the housing 12 and an elongated second interlocking structure 48 mounted to the respective drawer 14. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first interlocking structure 46 is mounted to the generally upwardly facing support surface 32 of the respective drawer support member 28, and the second interlocking structure 48 is mounted to the lower surface of the drawer bottom 42. More specifically, the first interlocking structures 46 of the first and second drawer interlocks 16(a), 16(b) are mounted in spaced apart relation to the drawer support member 28, and the second interlocking structures 48 of the first and second drawer interlocks 16(a), 16(b) are mounted in spaced apart relation to the drawer bottom 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first interlocking structure 46 includes first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 (see FIGS. 4, 7, 8, 11-16), and the second interlocking structure 48 includes first and second dovetail recesses 54, 56 (see FIGS. 6-8, 11, and 18-21). However, it is contemplated that the second interlocking structure may include the first and second dovetail projections and the first interlocking structure may include the first and second dovetail recesses. In use, the first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 slidably interlock with the first and second dovetail recesses 54, 56 in a cooperating relationship (see FIGS. 7, 8, 10, 11) to slidably couple each drawer 14 to the housing 12.

Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 13, the first interlocking structure 46 of each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) includes a base 58, and the first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 extend upwardly from the base 58. The first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 are spaced apart from one another to define a center dovetail recess 60. The first interlocking structure 46 includes a first end 62 and a second end 64. When mounted to the housing 12, the first end 62 is adjacent the forwardly facing opening 30 of the housing 12 and the second end 64 is disposed within the housing 12. As illustrated, the second end 64 of the first interlocking structure 46 has a straight trim, and the first end 62 is structured to faciliate alignment of the first and second interlocking structures 46, 48, as will be further discussed below.

The overall length of the first interlocking structure 46 is determined by the inner depth of the housing 12. That is, the length of the first interlocking structure 46 is subject to the housing 12 it is mounted within. For example, in one embodiment, the first interlocking structure 46 is structured such that the second end 64 is positioned within about 0.25″ from the inner surface of the back panel (or a physical member in the path of the first interlocking structure, e.g., post, partition, false panel).

In the illustrated embodiment, the first interlocking structure 46 is mounted to the housing 12 by fasteners. Specifically, the first interlocking structure 46 is mounted to the housing 12 by four screws 66 (see FIG. 7), e.g., wood screws, that extend through pre-formed generally circular-shaped openings 68 in the first interlocking structure 46 (see FIGS. 12 and 14). Two of the openings 68 are provided adjacent the first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46, and the other two openings 68 are provided adjacent the second end 64 of the first interlocking structure 46. The openings 68 extend through the base 58 and respective first and second dovetail projections 50, 52.

The screws 66 pass thorough the first interlocking structure 46 such that no part of the screws 66, e.g., the heads, protrudes outwardly from the outer surfaces defining the dovetail projections 50, 52. As a result, the screws 66 do not interfere with the sliding movement between the first and second interlocking structures 46, 48 in use.

The openings 68 adjacent the first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46 may be slot-shaped, e.g., elongated. The slot-shaped opening would allow lateral adjustment of the first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46 during mounting to the housing 12. The adjustment may be beneficial in positioning the first interlocking structure 46 such that the drawer 14 and second interlocking structure 48 thereof may be properly positioned within the housing 12. That is, proper alignment of the first interlocking structure 46 within the housing 12 will ensure that the drawer 14 is guided parallel to its associated opening 30. However, the openings 68 may have any suitable shape, and the openings 68 may be formed in any suitable manner.

Also, it should be understood that the first interlocking structure 46 of each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) may be mounted to the housing 12 in any other suitable manner, e.g. adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 18-21, the second interlocking structure 48 of each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) includes a base 70, a center dovetail projection 72 extending upwardly from the base 70, and end projections 74, 76 extending upwardly from the base 70. The center dovetail projection 72 and end projections 74, 76 cooperate to define the spaced apart first and second dovetail recesses 54, 56. In use, the first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 slidably interlock with the first and second dovetail recesses 54, 56, and the center dovetail projection 72 slidably interlocks with the center dovetail recess 60. As illustrated, the first and second ends 78, 80 of the second interlocking structure 48 have a straight trim.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second interlocking structure 48 of each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) is mounted to the respective drawer 14 by an adhesive. Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of support members 82 are mounted between the drawer bottom 42 of the drawer 14 and the second interlocking structure 48 by an adhesive to secure the second interlocking structure 48 to the respective drawer 14.

Moreover, the second interlocking structure 48 is mounted to the respective drawer 14 such that it protrudes beyond the rear wall 36, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 5, when mounted to the respective drawer 14, the first end 78 is adjacent the front wall 34 of the drawer 14 and the second end 80 protrudes beyond the rear wall 36, e.g., by about 1.25″.

The protruding portion 84 of the second interlocking structure 48 provides the extended length to seat a support member 86, and also allows the respective drawer 14 to be pulled to an extended position and be stably supported by the housing 12. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support member 86 is mounted, e.g., by an adhesive, between the outer surface of the rear wall 36 and the protruding portion 84 of the second interlocking structure 48 that protrudes beyond the rear wall 36. The support member 86 securely mounts the second interlocking structure 48 to the drawer 14. The protruding portion 84 also strengthens the beam load of the second interlocking structure 48 and allows for more extension of the drawer 14 to an extended position, e.g. all the way open.

However, it should be understood that the second interlocking structure 48 of each drawer interlock 16(a), 16(b) may be mounted to each drawer 14 in any other suitable manner, e.g., fasteners.

As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 14-17, edges of the first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46 are configured to facilitate alignment of the drawer 14 and second interlocking structure 48 thereof with the housing 12 and first interlocking structure 46 thereof. Specifically, the first end 62 includes beveled edges 88, 90. Also, edges 92, 94 of the first and second dovetail projections 50, 52 that define the center dovetail recess 60 are tapered at the first end 62.

The tapered edges 92, 94 are structured to allow the center dovetail projection 72 of the second interlocking structure 48 to seat onto the center dovetail recess 60 of the first interlocking structure 46. Then, once the seat has taken place, advancement of the drawer 14 and the second interlocking structure 48 thereof onto the first interlocking structure 46 will allow the beveled edges 88, 90 to align the first and second interlocking structures 46, 48. Thus, the edges 88, 90, 92, 94 allow an initial self-alignment of the second interlocking structure 48 with the first interlocking structure 46 to allow the first and second interlocking structures 46, 48 to interlock and function.

The beveled and tapered edges 88, 90, 92, 94 may be formed in the first interlocking structure 46 in any suitable manner, e.g., machining.

The first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46 may have any other suitable configuration to facilitate alignment of the drawer 14 with the housing 12. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate alternative embodiments of the first end 62 of the first interlocking structure 46.

In FIG. 22, the first interlocking structure 246 has a first end 262 with beveled edges 288, 290, and the forwardly facing ends of the first and second dovetail projections 250, 252 also have beveled edges 292, 294. These beveled edges 288, 290, 292, 294 help to guide the second interlocking structure 48 and drawer 14 into the first interlocking structure 246 and housing 12.

In FIG. 23, the first interlocking structure 346 has a first end 362 with beveled edges 388, 390, and forward ends of the first and second dovetail projections 350, 352 are removed to create a substantially flat guiding surface 392. This configuration also helps to guide the second interlocking structure 48 into interlocking engagement with the first interlocking structure 346.

The interlocking engagement between the first and second interlocking structures 46, 246, 346, 48 prevents tilting of each drawer 14 with respect to the housing 12. Further, the relatively large width of the first and second interlocking structures 46, 246, 346, 48, due to the first and second dovetail projections 50, 250, 350, 52, 252, 352 and the first and second dovetail recesses 60, adds strength and stability. That is, the relatively large width allows more surface of the second interlocking structure 48 to be adhered to the drawer 14 and allows four fasteners to be used for securing the first interlocking structure 46, 246, 346 to the housing 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second interlocking structures 46, 246, 346, 48 are constructed of wood. However, the first and second interlocking structures may be constructed from any other suitable material, e.g., plastic, metal. Also, outer surfaces of the first and second interlocking structures 46, 246, 346, 48 may be provided with an anti-friction coating to facilitate sliding movement between the first and second interlocking structures in use.

Further, although the illustrated embodiments disclose a first interlocking structure with first and second dovetail projections slidably interlocked with a second interlocking structure with first and second dovetail recesses, it should be understood that the first and second interlocking structures may have any suitable number of dovetail projections and corresponding dovetail recesses, e.g., three dovetail projections and three dovetail recesses, four dovetail projections and four dovetail recesses, etc.

The foregoing embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A furniture element comprising: a housing; a drawer carried by the housing and movable between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing; and a drawer interlock structured to slidably couple the drawer to the housing, the drawer interlock including an elongated first interlocking structure mounted to the housing and an elongated second interlocking structure mounted to the drawer, one of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail recesses, and the first and second dovetail projections slidably interlocking with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing.
 2. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the first interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail projections, and the second interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail recesses.
 3. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a forwardly facing opening structured to receive the drawer therein, the forwardly facing opening defined by a generally horizontally extending drawer support member having a generally upwardly facing support surface, and wherein the first interlocking structure is mounted to the generally upwardly facing support surface.
 4. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the housing carries a plurality of drawers, and a plurality of drawer interlocks are provided to slidably couple each of the plurality of drawers to the housing.
 5. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the first interlocking structure is mounted to the housing by fasteners.
 6. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the second interlocking structure is mounted to the drawer by an adhesive.
 7. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the drawer includes generally parallel front and rear walls, the front wall covering the forwardly facing opening of the housing when the drawer is in the retracted position, and wherein the second interlocking structure is mounted to the drawer such that it protrudes beyond the rear wall.
 8. The furniture element according to claim 7, further comprising a support member mounted between the outer surface of the rear wall and a protruding portion of the second interlocking structure that protrudes beyond the rear wall.
 9. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the drawer interlock includes a first drawer interlock and a second drawer interlock spaced apart from the first drawer interlock, the first and second drawer interlocks slidably coupling the drawer to the housing.
 10. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the first and second interlocking structures are constructed of wood.
 11. The furniture element according to claim 1, wherein the first and second dovetail projections are spaced apart from one another to define a center dovetail recess, and the first and second dovetail recesses are spaced apart from one another to define a center dovetail projection, wherein the center dovetail projection slidably interlocks with the center dovetail recess.
 12. The furniture element according to claim 11, wherein the first interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail projections that define the center dovetail recess, the first interlocking structure having a first end adjacent the forwardly facing opening of the housing and a second end disposed within the housing, and wherein the center dovetail recess includes a tapered edge adjacent the first end of the first interlocking structure to facilitate alignment of the drawer and second interlocking structure thereof with the housing and first interlocking structure thereof.
 13. The furniture element according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support members mounted between the drawer and the second interlocking structure to secure the second interlocking structure to the drawer.
 14. A drawer interlock for use with a furniture element including a housing and a drawer carried by the housing and movable between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing, the drawer interlock comprising: an elongated first interlocking structure adapted to be mounted to the housing; and an elongated second interlocking structure adapted to be mounted to the drawer, one of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail recesses, and the first and second dovetail projections slidably interlocking with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing.
 15. The drawer interlock according to claim 14, wherein the first interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail projections, and the second interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail recesses.
 16. The drawer interlock according to claim 14, wherein the first interlocking structure is adapted to be mounted to the housing by fasteners.
 17. The drawer interlock according to claim 14, wherein the second interlocking structure is adapted to be mounted to the drawer by an adhesive.
 18. The drawer interlock according to claim 14, wherein the first and second interlocking structures are constructed of wood.
 19. The drawer interlock according to claim 14, wherein the first and second dovetail projections are spaced apart from one another to define a center dovetail recess, and the first and second dovetail recesses are spaced apart from one another to define a center dovetail projection, wherein the center dovetail projection slidably interlocks with the center dovetail recess.
 20. The drawer interlock according to claim 19, wherein the first interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail projections that define the center dovetail recess, the first interlocking structure having a first end adjacent a forwardly facing opening of the housing and a second end disposed within the housing, and wherein the center dovetail recess includes a tapered edge adjacent the first end of the first interlocking structure to facilitate alignment of the drawer and second interlocking structure thereof with the housing and first interlocking structure thereof.
 21. A method of manufacturing a furniture element including a housing and a drawer carried by the housing, the method comprising: providing a drawer interlock including an elongated first interlocking structure and an elongated second interlocking structure, one of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail projections and the other of the first and second interlocking structures including first and second dovetail recesses; mounting the first interlocking structure to the housing; mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer; and slidably interlocking the first and second dovetail projections with the first and second dovetail recesses in a cooperating relationship to slidably couple the drawer to the housing for movement between an extended position extending outwardly from the housing and a retracted position disposed within the housing.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail projections, and the second interlocking structure includes the first and second dovetail recesses.
 23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising mounting the first interlocking structure to a generally upwardly facing support surface provided on a generally horizontally extending drawer support member of the housing.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the housing carries a plurality of drawers, and the method includes providing a plurality of drawer interlocks to slidably couple each of the plurality of drawers to the housing.
 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the mounting the first interlocking structure to the housing includes mounting the first interlocking structure to the housing by fasteners.
 26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer includes mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer by an adhesive.
 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the drawer includes generally parallel front and rear walls, the front wall covering the forwardly facing opening of the housing when the drawer is in the retracted position, and wherein the mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer includes mounting the second interlocking structure to the drawer such that it protrudes beyond the rear wall.
 28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising mounting a support member between the outer surface of the rear wall and a protruding portion of the second interlocking structure that protrudes beyond the rear wall.
 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the providing a drawer interlock includes providing a first drawer interlock and a second drawer interlock spaced apart from the first drawer interlock, and wherein the first and second drawer interlocks slidably couple the drawer to the housing.
 30. The method according to claim 21, further comprising constructing the first and second interlocking structures of wood.
 31. The method according to claim 21, further comprising providing a tapered edge on the first interlocking structure to facilitate alignment of the drawer and second interlocking structure thereof with the housing and first interlocking structure thereof.
 32. The method according to claim 21, mounting a plurality of support members between the drawer and the second interlocking structure to secure the second interlocking structure to the drawer. 